Engel Makes Two GOP Challengers (Officially) For Hinchey (Updated)

Former assistant US attorney, NYC lawyer and part-time Ulster County resident Tom Engel has decided to take the plunge and convert his exploratory committee for a potential challenge to Democratic Rep. Maurice Hinchey into a full-fledged campaign in NY-22.

“I am writing you to tell you that I have filed the necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission and will challenge longtime incumbent Congressman Maurice Hinchey,” Engel informed the district’s approximately 23,000 enrolled Republicans and conservatives in an email blast hitting today.

“I am entering the race because Maurice Hinchey, who will be seeking his 10th term in Congress next year, has proven over the course of four decades in politics, that he is radically wrong for New York and for America.”

(The full text of Engel’s email and the release announcing he has filed the necessary paperwork with the FEC to become a congressional candidate appear after the jump).

NOTE: Engel’s advisor, Rob Ryan, a long-time GOP consultant and former Pataki administration official, informs me his candidate spends the “vast majority” of his time in Ulster County, where he has owned a home for more than two decades, and is therefore, by his definition, not a part-time resident.

Hinchey survived a tough challenge from George Phillips last fall, winning 52-48 despite considerable outside spending on the race by groups like Karl Rove’s American Crossroads.

Phillips, a Binghamton-area teacher who was making a second attempt at unseating the veteran Democratic congressman, was also endorsed by former NYC Mayor Ed Koch, who said Hinchey had failed to sufficiently support Israel. (This was long before Koch’s party line-crossing success in the NY-9 special election with Rep. Bob Turner).

The congressman has been considered a potential candidate for retirement since his colon cancer surgery this summer. Hinchey, 72, has not formally announced a campaign for what would be his 11th two-year term.

Since Turner’s surprise win in Democrat-dominated NY-9 last month, the GOP has started talking about protecting him in the next round of redistricting. Before Turner’s victory, the district had been widely viewed as the top candidate for eradication as Democrats and Republicans face the need to axe two House seats.

Now Hinchey’s district is reportedly among those being eyed for elimination, along with NY-25, currently occupied by another GOP freshman, Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle.

The Democrat Buerkle ousted in a close election last fall, ex-Rep. Dan Maffei, recently announced his intention to mount a re-match in 2012.

UPDATE: Phillips sent out a statement on the 2012 race that reaffirmed his intention to run.

He not directly comment on Engel’s candidacy, other than to 1) refer to Engel as a “NYC attorney,” and 2) note that Engel contributed to Phillips’ campaign ($1,000) last fall. The statement appears after the jump.

“Last year we were involved with one of the closest and most exciting races
in the country. In fact, last year on this date we had President Bill Clinton campaigning against us in our district.”

“We were ranked the #2 Race in the country by Politico, a leading national political journal and reached almost 48% of the vote on election night as well as 57% of the vote in the Southern Tier.”

“We have thousands of energized supporters encouraging us to run again and we are planning on running again next year.”

“We are confident that we can improve on our incredible showing and defeat Maurice Hinchey in 2012. For now, we are focused on helping candidates in the local elections who have helped us out so much.”